Chapter 806: Unexpected Pairings
But it wasn’t just Aisha and Cassius who had found their joy in the festival.
The entire Holyfield household had scattered across the celebration like seeds in the wind, each member finding their own slice of happiness.
—
Julie and Isabelle had completely sold out every single plate of noodles to their utter satisfaction.
The last customer had practically wept with joy as he received the final portion, and Julie had nearly collapsed from exhaustion but also from sheer happiness.
"We did it." Julie breathed, wiping sweat from her brow as she stared at the empty stall. "We actually did it, Isabelle. We sold everything!"
"Of course we did, Julie." Isabelle smiled warmly, her own face flushed with pride. "I always knew you had it in you."
Julie felt tears prick at her eyes. "I couldn’t have done it without you, Isabelle. Thank you for helping me."
"Think nothing of it." Isabelle said, squeezing her hand. "Now, I believe we’ve earned a bit of celebration, haven’t we?"
And celebrate they did.
The two of them went from stall to stall, sampling every delicacy the festival had to offer.
They ate grilled meat and fried dumplings and sweet pastries that melted on their tongues.
They drank mulled wine and honeyed mead until their cheeks were flushed and their laughter was free and unguarded.
—
On another part of the festival grounds, Nala was having the time of her life.
Her massive snake tail slithered through the crowd, but she wasn’t alone.
Portia was sitting on her tail, looking thoroughly embarrassed but also secretly enjoying herself.
"Nala, please slow down!" Portia protested as Nala weaved through the crowd at an alarming speed.
"We’re going to knock someone over!"
"Relax, Portia!" Nala called back, her voice full of mischief. "I know exactly what I’m doing! I’ve been doing this all night!"
"That’s what I’m afraid of!"
Despite her complaints, Portia was actually having a wonderful time.
She and Nala had always had a strange relationship.
Nala was so playful and mischievous, always pushing boundaries and breaking rules.
Portia, ever the proper maid, had tried so hard to correct her behavior, to make her act like a lady befitting the household.
But it had never worked.
Instead, Nala’s wild spirit had slowly infected Portia, making her a bit more free-going, a bit more willing to let loose and have fun.
And right now, Portia was definitely having fun.
They went from ride to ride, breaking the rules wherever they went.
Standing when they weren’t supposed to stand.
Lifting their arms high in the sky on roller coasters.
Doing ridiculous poses while spinning on teacups.
"Nala, we’re going to get in trouble!" Portia shouted as they spun around on a massive swing ride.
"Who’s going to stop us?" Nala laughed. "We’re the mistresses of the Holyfield estate! We own half of this festival!"
"You don’t own half the—" Portia started to protest, but then Nala did something particularly daring and she found herself laughing instead.
She couldn’t help it. It felt so good to just let go.
—
Skadi was also carrying someone on her tail—though in her case, it was Vivi.
The wolf girl was bounding through the crowd with boundless energy, and Vivi was laughing with pure, unfiltered joy.
"Faster, Skadi! Faster!" Vivi cried out.
"Faster?!" Skadi laughed. "You want me to go FASTER?!"
"Yes! Like the wind!"
Skadi obliged, picking up speed as she wove through the crowd.
Vivi’s giggles echoed behind her.
The two had formed an unlikely but wonderful bond over the months.
When Skadi had first met Vivi, she’d been completely honest—maybe too honest.
She’d told Vivi directly that she was too weak and fragile.
It wasn’t meant as an insult; Skadi simply spoke her thoughts without filtering them.
Vivi hadn’t been offended. Instead, she’d asked Skadi to train her, to make her stronger.
And Skadi had been absolutely thrilled at the prospect.
Ever since then, they’d trained and battled together regularly.
Skadi was always gentle and soft, mindful of Vivi’s fragile constitution, but she pushed her student to grow, to become the best version of herself.
And Vivi had grown stronger because of it.
Right now, Vivi was even trying to carry Skadi instead of the other way around.
Her small frame was straining, her face red with effort, as she attempted to lift the wolf girl on her back off the ground.
"Come on, you can do it!" Skadi encouraged, bouncing slightly to test her balance.
"You’ve got this, Vivi!"
"I’m...trying..." Vivi grunted. "You’re...heavier than...you look..."
"Of course I’m heavy!" Skadi laughed. "With how much Master spoils me with tasty meat, it would be weird if I was as light as you!"
"But don’t worry, just give it your—"
But before Skadi could finish—
—Vivi managed to lift her a few inches and straighten her back all the way!
The surrounding audience, who knew just how weak Vivi had been in the past, burst into applause and cheers.
"Bravo Lady Vivi!"
"Darling look! Look how much our therapist has improved!"
"Dammit! In already 46 years old and I feel like crying right now!"
"It’s like watching your own daughter take her first steps!"
But then Skadi’s weight was too much.
Vivi lost her grip and tumbled backward, Skadi falling on top of her in a heap of limbs and giggles.
"Are you okay?" Skadi asked, giggling uncontrollably.
"I’m fine." Vivi laughed, wiping her eyes. "Did you see that, Skadi? I actually lifted you!"
"You did!" Skadi beamed. "You’re getting so strong, Vivi! I’m so proud of you!"
They lay there in the grass, laughing together, completely unbothered by the stares of the crowd.
—
Carmela had been transported to heaven.
Or rather, she’d been transported into the arms of two of the warmest, softest, most motherly women in existence.
Maria held one of her hands, and Olga held the other.
And both of them were absolutely doting on her.
"Here, dear, have this shrimp." Maria said, holding up a perfectly cooked piece of seafood. "It’s absolutely delicious—I made sure to get the best ones!"
"Try these chicken tenders instead." Olga countered, offering her own dish. "They’re so crispy and flavorful!"
"Oh, don’t forget about these candied fruits! They’re so lovely!"
"Who would’ve thought that Cassius was the one to create these dishes? My son-in-law is so capable!"
Carmela’s cold, stoic demeanor had completely melted away.
She was practically purring now, her head lolling against Olga’s shoulder while Maria stroked her hair.
The warmth of their embrace, the kindness in their voices, the unconditional love they showered upon her—it was overwhelming.
When she’d lost her mother all those years ago, Carmela had thought she’d never feel this way again. Thought she’d never have a mother’s love, a mother’s embrace.
But here she was, sandwiched between these two wonderful women, being loved like she’d always belonged.
"Here, Carmela." Maria said softly, holding up a small pastry. "This one’s my favorite. It’s called a cream puff."
Carmela opened her mouth, and Maria gently placed the pastry inside. The flavor exploded across her tongue—sweet and light and utterly perfect.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"Oh, darling!" Olga cooed, quickly wiping it away. "What’s wrong? Are you sad?"
Carmela shook her head, her voice choked with emotion.
"N-No. I’m happy. I’m so happy I don’t know what to do with myself."
She truly was unable to stop herself from over and over again today.
Olga and Maria exchanged a warm, knowing glance.
Then they both pulled her closer, enveloping her in a double embrace that felt like home.
"Then just enjoy it, sweetheart." Olga murmured. "You deserve to be happy."
—
Joy, meanwhile, looked like she’d been claimed by a pack of wolf pups.
Four little girls hung off her like she was their personal jungle gym.
Skadi’s sisters had refused to let go of her all night, and Joy had never been happier.
"Big Sis Joy!" Momo squealed, clinging to her arm. "Can we get some cotton candy? Please, please, please?"
"Of course, little one!" Joy said, her voice full of adoration. "Whatever you want!"
"Big Sis Joy!" Tutu chimed in from her perch on Joy’s back. "Can we go on the dragon ride again? I want to spin and spin until I get dizzy!"
"Anything for you, precious!"
"Big Phis Joy!" The littlest one, Fufu, mumbled from where she was riding on Joy’s head. "Fufu whants ice shream. Creamy, yummy ice cream!"
"Then ice cream you shall have!"
Joy had become the ultimate sugar mommy.
Whatever the little ones asked for, she immediately provided. She was buying food, paying for rides, winning prizes at carnival games.
Her wallet was wide open, and her heart was even wider.
The little ones also adored her. Unlike their mother and sister, who occasionally tried to discipline them, Joy gave them everything they wanted.
She spoiled them rotten, and they loved her for it.
As she walked through the festival with four fluffy little wolves clinging to her, Joy felt like the richest woman in the world.
—
Theo was having his own special moment.
His daughters and wife were occupied, so he spent his time with his two sons, showing off his skills at the carnival games.
Despite his weakened body, he still had the instincts of a warrior, and he made short work of the balloon targets.
"Wow, Papa!" Toki cheered. "You’re so cool!"
"You’re amazing, Papa!" Doki added. "The best Papa in the whole world!"
Theo puffed out his chest with pride, a wide grin spreading across his weathered face.
"Of course I am! A true warrior never loses his touch, even when he’s old and broken!"
He threw another dart, hitting the bullseye dead center.
The stall owner groaned, handing him yet another prize.
"Take this, my sons!" Theo declared, tossing the stuffed wolf to them. "A token of your father’s might!"
Toki and Doki caught it, cheering loudly. "Papa is the best!"
Theo smiled, a genuine, warm smile that transformed his usually scowling face.
His sons thought he was amazing. They looked up to him. They admired him.
It was exactly what he needed to hear!
’Even if Cassius has stolen my wife and daughters.’ He thought, at least I still have my sons. ’They understand me!’
"Papa, can you teach us how to throw darts like that?"
"Of course, my boys! Stand back and watch your father in action!"
He was, despite everything, a happy man.
